(1)

Commission Decision 2002/994/EC (2) applies to all products of animal origin imported from China and intended for human consumption or animal feed use.

(2)

Pursuant to Article 2(1) of that Decision, Member States are to prohibit imports of those products. Article 2(2) provides for two derogations from that prohibition.

(3)

In accordance with the first derogation, Member States are to authorise imports of products listed in Part I of the Annex to Decision 2002/994/EC in accordance with the specific animal and public health conditions applicable to the products concerned.

(4)

In accordance with the second derogation, Member States are to authorise imports of products listed in Part II of the Annex to Decision 2002/994/EC that are accompanied by a declaration of the Chinese competent authority stating that each consignment has been subjected to a chemical test, in order to ensure that the products concerned do not present a danger to human health.

(5)

Regulation (EC) No 853/2004 of the European Parliament and of the Council (3), as amended by Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2022/2258 (4), introduced certain fat derivatives, such as vitamin D3 and precursors used for the production of vitamin D3, as highly refined products. That amendment was introduced because any animal and public health risk is eliminated by the specific treatment of those products of animal origin laid down in Regulation (EC) No 853/2004.

(6)

Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2021/405 (5) provides that highly refined products derived from ungulates may enter into the Union from third countries listed in Annex XII to that Regulation. China is among the third countries listed in Annex XII to that Regulation. Consequently, vitamin D3 and precursors used for the production thereof should be allowed to enter into the Union from China in accordance with Article 22, point (a), of that Regulation.

(7)

Vitamin D3 is a highly purified product and it is used also in feed to satisfy nutritional requirements for animals. Vitamin D3 plays an essential role to regulate the physiological processes of calcium and phosphorus. Different additives specifically adapted to the use in feed have been authorised to prevent deficiencies in this vitamin. Vitamin D3 is also necessary for the health and welfare of animals. The relevant imports should comply with feed, public and animal health requirements. Consequently, vitamin D3 and precursors used for the production thereof should be allowed to enter into the Union from China in accordance with Regulation (EC) No 1069/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council (6) and Regulation (EC) No 1831/2003 of the European Parliament and of the Council (7).

(8)

It is therefore appropriate to extend the derogation from the prohibition of entry into the Union from China pursuant to Article 2(2) of Decision 2002/994/EC to vitamin D3 and precursors used for the production thereof.

(9)

Decision 2002/994/EC should therefore be amended accordingly.

(10)

The measures provided for in this Decision are in accordance with the opinion of the Standing Committee on Plants, Animals, Food and Feed,